Beijingers are once again choking as smog levels hit "heavy or even worse" levels in the capital and a number of other cities across the country.Persistent problems with city air have prompted officials and entrepreneurs to consider ways to protect their citizenry from the pollution.Beijing was under an "orange" smog alert Monday, which marks the first time the second-highest warning level of a new system introduced last year has been raised.
Capital measures come amid fog of pollution
Heavy smog routinely blankets the capital, all but blotting out the sun and forcing residents inside. Australian Open champion Li Na revealed she's had to train indoors in Beijing due to the high levels of pollution, while smog across most of northern and eastern China has prompted officials to send teams of investigators to the worst-hit parts of the country.Officials at the Ministry of Environmental Protection cited"unfavorable meteorological conditions and firework and firecracker spree(s)" as the cause of the heavily polluted air. China's Lunar New Year celebrations, which took place earlier this month, are often accompanied by firework displays, and neighborhoods resound with the sound of firecrackers.
The air pollution index recorded levels of over 400, referring to the number of PM2.5 harmful particulates measuring 2.5 microns or larger -- per cubic meter of air. The World Health Organization recommends guideline values of 25 PM2.5 in a 24-hour period.
The smog is expected to ease towards the end of the week.